SCHEDULE
OF EVENTS
About Septemberfest
The 5th Annual Septemberfest is coming back to downtown Helena the weekend of September 12th, 13th, & 14th! Septemberfest is a FREE family event that takes place in downtown Helena. This year we are combining three popular Helena events - Gills Point S Soapbox Derby, Sauter Balloon Sculpture Festival, and the United Way Family Funfest - into one GIANT event that you won't want to miss!
This year's theme is Dinosaurs Take Over Downtown! We can't wait to see what kind of dinosaur themed creation you come up with for your derby car!
Gills Point S Soapbox Derby
The soap box derby is a two part event in downtown Helena. Friday night, spectators can enjoy a soap box derby car show on the walking mall. While checking out the derby cars, people can enjoy live music, food trucks, and more. The daring race down 6th Ave hill will take place Saturday afternoon with an awards ceremony taking place shortly after the races conclude.
Sauter Balloons Sculpture Fest
The balloon fest is an art walk in which downtown Helena is filled with giant balloon sculptures. It is similar to an ice carving festival, but the sculptures are bigger, more colorful, and don’t require you to come outside in freezing weather. Each sculpture will be custom designed to match the dinosaur theme, while also incorporating the event sponsors.
United Way of the Lewis & Clark Area Family Fun Fest
The FunFest offers a variety of family friendly activities including a 1k donut fun run, carnival games hosted by UW nonprofit partners, and a balloon dome house. Family Fun Fest activities will take place throughout downtown Helena during the soapbox derby and balloon sculpture fest. Activities will act as fundraisers for the various non-profits supported by United Way. There will also be a scavenger hunt to encourage attendees to visit local downtown businesses.
More details including the timeline of events coming soon!
Traveling to Helena for the derby? Click Here to check out hotels in the Helena area!
*This event is produced with support from Visit Helena! Click Here to check out more information about Visit Helena.
RACE & VEHICLE
REQUIREMENTS
These instructions are only to help you get started. All cars must fit the requirements listed below.
RACE REQUIREMENTS
• Race registration is FREE but donations are encouraged. Donations will go toward local nonprofits.
• Racers must be pre-registered to participate.
​• Registration deadline is September 5, 2025.
• Race participants can be under the age of 18 but must have a valid driver's license and their parent/guardian must be present at all times during the races .
• Races will begin on Cruse Avenue (next to the Chamber Building), take a hard left down 6th Ave (with an optional jump down-course), and sail down 6th Avenue to the Walking Mall.
• Costumes are encouraged.
• All team members must wear long pants, long shirt, shoes, gloves, helmet, and goggles.
• Each team can consist of up to 3 people: 1 Racer and 2 Pushers.
• Each team will be allotted a 10x10 space to work on their Soapbox in the staging area.
• For the safety of the spectators, participants, and volunteers, anyone who appears to be intoxicated will not be allowed to race their car. The team will be given the chance to replace their team member. If they are unable to locate a new driver, the team will be disqualified from the races.
VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
• Vehicles must be non-motorized.
• Vehicles must have at least 4 wheels.
• Vehicle Pushing must happen from the back of the vehicle and only for a short portion of the race (approximately 80 feet at the beginning of the course).
• Vehicles can be no more than 5 feet wide, 8 feet tall, and 9 feet long.
• Vehicles can weigh no more than 300 pounds, excluding the driver.
• Vehicles must have fully functioning brakes and steering.
• Braking with hands or feet is prohibited.
• Unmodified prefab vehicles are prohibited. (Basically, you can't send an unmodified Barbie car down the course.)
• No power or tools will be provided, only stoke.
• No welders, blowtorches, fire pits, or open flames of any kind are allowed at the event. Anyone team who is caught using prohibited items in the pit area will be automatically disqualified.
These instructions are only to help you get started. All cars must fit within the vehicle requirements listed above.
SPONSORS
THANK YOU to our sponsors for helping bring this rad event to Helena.
Downtown Sponsor: $150
-
*Mention on event map.
-
Text mention on main landing page of the event website.
-
2 social media posts (1 before and 1 after event).
-
At least 1 live shoutout at event.
-
*Inclusion of 1 business card promo/coupon inside derby swag bag.
-
*Logo to be included on a barrier lining the course.
​
Derby Sponsor: $300
-
*Items included in Downtown Sponsor Package.
-
1hr balloon sculpture at the event.
-
Small Logo on main landing page of the event website.
-
3 social media posts (2 before, and 1 after event).
-
At least 2 live shoutouts at event.
-
Inclusion of 1 promotional item inside derby swag bags
-
*Opportunity to participate in the scavenger hunt.
​
Race Day Sponsor: $625
-
*Items included in Derby Sponsor Package.
-
$50 gift certificate for 1 hr balloon sculpture + 2 hr balloon sculpture at business/event.
-
Medium logo on main landing page of the event website.
-
4 Social media posts (2 before event, 1 after, and 1 additional shout out from UWLCA).
-
At least 3 live shoutouts at the event.
-
*Inclusion of up to 2 promotional items inside derby swag bags.
-
*Inclusion of promotional item inside Derby prize gift baskets.
-
*Logo included on finish line display.
+ All perks available in the UWLCA Bronze Corporate Sponsorship Package.
​
Finish Line Sponsor: $1,250
-
*Items included in Race Day Sponsor Package.
-
$100 Gift Certificate for two 1hr balloon sculptures + 3hr balloon sculpture at business/event.
-
Large logo on main landing page of the event website.
-
5 social media posts (2 before event + 1 after, 2 additional posts from UWLCA).
-
At least 4 live shoutouts at the event.
-
*Ability to provide 1 judge to finish line area (first come, first served)..
+ All perks available in the UWLCA Silver Corporate Sponsorship Package.
​
Entertainment Sponsor: $2,500
-
*Items included in Finish Line Sponsor Package.
-
$150 Gift Certificate from Sauter Balloons + 4 hr balloon sculpture at business/event.
-
Large logo included on main landing page of the event website + link to company website.
-
6 social media posts (2 before event + 1 after, 3 additional posts from UWLCA).
-
*At least 5 live shoutouts at the event.
-
Text mention on event banner displayed at Ten Mile Brewery and Mt. Ascension Brewery.
-
*Inclusion in our “Sponsor Deals” landing page, with link to website. QR code linking to page will be included on water bill mailers (delivered to 12,000 Helena residents).
-
*Sponsor mention on all event promotional materials.
+ All perks available in the UWLCA Gold Corporate Sponsorship Package.
​
Safety Sponsor: $5,000
-
*Items included in Entertainment Sponsor Package.
-
$300 Gift Certificate from Sauter Balloons +6 hr balloon sculpture at business/event.
-
*Large logo included on main landing page of the event website, link to company website, and brief description of what company does under logo.
-
7 social media posts (2 before event + 1 after, 4 additional posts from UWLCA).
-
Small logo on event banner displayed at Ten Mile Brewery and Mt. Ascension Brewery.
-
*Opportunity to record a radio ad promoting the event and your company.
-
Must be registered by June 1st.
-
+ All perks available in the UWLCA Sapphire Corporate Sponsorship Package.
​
Promotional Sponsor: $10,000
-
*Items included in Safety Sponsor package.
-
$600 Gift Certificate from Sauter Balloons + 12 hr balloon sculpture at business/event.
-
8 social media posts (2 before event + 1 after, 5 additional posts from UWLCA).
-
Medium logo on event banner displayed at Ten Mile Brewery and Mt. Ascension Brewery.
-
*Company logo featured in TV Advertisement (if registered by June 1st)
+ All perks available in the UWLCA Ruby Corporate Sponsorship Package.
​
Presenting Sponsor Sponsor: $20,000
-
*Items included in Promotional Sponsor Package
-
$2,000 Gift Certificate from Sauter Balloons + 20hr balloon masterpiece at business/event.
-
9 social media posts (2 before event + 1 after, 6 additional posts from UWLCA).
-
Large logo on event banner displayed at Ten Mile Brewery and Mt. Ascension Brewery.
-
Company logo on billboard advertising “This event sponsored by...”
+ All perks available in the UWLCA Diamond Corporate Sponsorship Package.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
